THE MOVERS

What Does Your Facebook Profile Picture Say?

It is pretty obvious that one should never post personal or identifiable information on social networking sites such as Twitter and Face book.

However, with the continuous growth of technology in the past few years, it is simply impossible to not have the urge to share every detail of your life online; knowing that someone will always be reading. While that is acceptable, know that everyone, including organizations and companies, are viewing this information as well.

In fact, they are using this information to determine whether or not you are (or will be) an ideal candidate for their company.

Truthfully, people can learn a lot about you from your Facebook profile. By considering your favorite movies, pictures, quotes and the things other people write on your wall, it is quite easy to get a good idea of who you are. And knowing that, one should be extremely careful about what is displayed.

The first thing that people will notice about a profile is, of course, the picture. It is the one thing that shows who you are, personality wise.

Also, it shows up continuously next to posts, tags, chats and messages. As a result, it is recommended that you put a lot of thought into your selection. If your main profile picture is of you and friends out on the town with bottles, hotties and behaving wildly, then it may be sending out the wrong message.

Want to know what your profile picture may actually be revealing about you? Well, below are a few results of a Face book profile study conducted by social psychologists Dr. Asi Sharabi on behalf of Cosmopolitan.

Pouting– A person that presents a provocative, sensual symbol. This may simulate the desire for a partner and/or intimacy. It may also indicate a tactile person.

With an animal-This person may be viewed as compassionate and caring. They are equipped with the capacity to be nurturing.

Dancing-Those who show themselves dancing are likely to be strongly extrovert. Additionally, dancing has strong connotations toward leisure and freedom, someone who is a pleasure-seeker.

With a Partner– This popular picture signifies monogamy, and the search for a deeper, defined relationship
Doing an activity-This is someone who identifies with their abilities and experiences rather than emotions or relationships.
It may also indicate an unwillingness to commit or settle down.

Looking away from the camera– This is a person who is unwilling to pose in the traditional way. This signifies someone who is headstrong and confident in their ability to challenge life and standards.

Fancy Night Out– Someone who values the extrovert, social scenes of their life. It may also denote that they enjoy attention and exude confidence in despite of a crowd.

Though employers may not immediately classify an individual into categories, it is always suggested that one stay aware of the messages that their photos portray.

Employers are checking the Internet more frequently and one simple thing online can affect a person’s overall perception of you. If you are very involved in Face book, it may be beneficial to have two Facebook pages: one for personal use and the other for professional use. That way, you can avoid censoring what is published. However, be certain to use good judgment, no matter which page is displayed.

About the Author

Joshlyn Ross

A native of Oakland, California, Joshlyn Ross works diligently to share variations of industry news. She also shares words of wisdom and tips for other young professionals looking to capitalize in their respective fields.

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